Not that impressed I normally love Barbara Erskine's books but I was a bit disappointed with this one. I got half way through the book and it started to wind me up - so I must admit I skimmed through the remainder because I wanted to see what happened to Paul.
(3.5) Basic Erskine regression story Kingdom of Shadows is a parallel tale of Clare Royland in the 1980's and Isobel Buchan in Scotland at the time of Robert The Bruce in the latter 13th and early 14th century. Clare is married to stock broker Paul Royland who gambled with insider trading and lost and needs to sell Clare's Scottish Castle Duncairn to raise desperately needed funds. Unhappy in her marriage, Clare turns to yoga and meditation and she begins to see visions of the past as Isobel Buchan of Scotland relives her past through... more info
Kingdom of Shadows I first read 'Sands of Time' when I borrowed it from our local library, and was absolutely hooked right from the start and I really couldn't bear to put it down until I'd finished it! I have about 8 of Barbara Erskine's books now, and have recommended them to all my friends. She is now one of my favourite authors, and I loved Kingdon of Shadows. I felt really sorry for Claire Royland, but once she gets away from her awful husband, and takes on some of Isobel's character traits, I really admired her gutsy... more info
Partly disappointing I loved the Isobel storyline, but it was spoiled by the modern day story. Why are Barbara Erskines heroines so passive? Clare Royland is intensely irritating-she blithely accepts that she can't have children taking only his word for it (no demanding second opinions, no referral to specialists-what normal woman would do that?),her husband assaults her, locks her up, tries to rape her-does she go the police and complain? I know that it's only a story, but it doesn't ring true and it irritated me reading it.... more info
